Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY317797 Inspection date 08/05/2012 Inspector Susan Scott

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with two adult children in Rochester, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. This number is increased to a maximum of nine children under eight years old at any one time, of whom six may be in the early years age range, when working with another registered minder. Currently the childminder cares for 17 children, of whom two are in the early years age group, and all children attend part-time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools, pre-schools and local amenities.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's good understanding of each child's individual needs ensures that she is able to promote all aspects of their welfare and learning with success. This means that children make good progress, given their age, ability and starting points. Children are safe and secure at all times and enjoy learning from practical experiences and the world around them. Children's good progress is underpinned by the childminder's strong relationships with parents and effective systems to communicate with them. The childminder has a good capacity to maintain future continuous improvements, as she regularly updates her childcare knowledge by attending a variety of training courses. This means that the childminder is keen to implement improvements and generally uses her self-evaluation well to consider the needs of all users of the service.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further develop the use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as a basis for ongoing internal review, to assess what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively promoted because the childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare. This ensures their welfare is a high priority. The childminder conducts risk assessments of the home, garden and outings. She ensures children are supervised when using the outside playroom where apparatus is stored. There are comprehensive risk assessments, which include cleaning of the premises and equipment and the process for transporting children, in the car or when using public transport. Therefore, children are kept safe at all times both inside and outside the home. The childminder has a current first aid certificate so that she can provide appropriate treatment if a child is injured. She has a pre-packed bag with first aid equipment for any outings and all the required essential information for each child. The first aid supplies are easily accessible within the home. Children

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the early years provision

benefit from clear and reliable procedures for recording accidents and administering medication. They practice emergency evacuations, which ensures they understand how to respond to emergencies. The childminder records written consents from parents for a variety of activities, such as outings and the application of sun cream.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended a variety of training and uses her skills and experience with competence. She has evaluated her service and made a variety of improvements to her organisation of care and the use of records since the previous inspection. She seeks the views and opinions of parents and although she has completed a self-evaluation, the suggestions and views of parents are not fully incorporated into this. Nevertheless, the childminder has a good capacity to maintain her continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children can easily access an appealing selection of toys and resources that cover all areas of learning and the childminder adapts activities to enable all children to be included. The childminder recognises that each child is unique and promotes equality and diversity through the resources she offers and by being a positive and consistent role model to children. She recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents to embrace children's cultural and linguistic heritage. The partnership with parents is very positive. Children's starting points are discussed with parents and this information is used to enable children to settle well and to plan for their progress. The learning and development records are detailed and provide an accurate picture of children's progress and include parental contributions. Parents are valued and the comments reflect the good quality relationships they have with the childminder. For example, they say the

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the early years provision

childminder's house is like a second home for their children and that the atmosphere makes children kind to each other. The childminder has worked with other agencies in supporting children and is well known at the local school where she liaises with teachers and will attend special events if parents are unable to. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from playing and learning in a well-organised and carefully planned environment, where they are able to freely select from a variety of resources and activities which interest them. The childminder plans activities to extend their play and learning successfully. For example, she plans activities that enable them to make the next steps in their learning and prepares these so that they appeal to children's interests. The children each have a development folder and a journal with photographs; these contain extensive, accurate observations and assessments noted by the childminder. These records are referenced to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage and are updated frequently.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans well to promote activities that promote children's progress. For example, children receive effective help to develop their speech and communication which is based upon strategies suggested by a speech therapist. The childminder offers children a range of healthy snacks and meals that supplement the meals they have at school and uses her precise knowledge of each child's dietary needs and allergies to plan these. Children are kept safe at all times as the childminder provides clear instructions and good supervision. Children respond well to the good role model presented by the patient and kind childminder. Older children help to devise and write the house rules on a poster.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy opportunities to make choices and enjoy a variety of well- supported play. The childminder takes children out every day. She offers them routine outings to school or the library and more exciting outings to which they travel on a bus or train. For instance, they enjoyed a trip to Thorpe Park on the train in a large group. Children are kept safe through the childminder's close supervision, and her encouragement enables them to feel secure and safe. For example, she recognises when toddlers need comfort and security and holds them close so that they are soothed and fall asleep happily and swiftly. The childminder uses praise and celebrates children's achievements, which ensures they feel good about what they do. For instance, children's drawings are displayed and photographs are taken of them enjoying new activities. This positive reinforcement encourages them to build their skills, so that they develop their abilities: for

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and outcomes for children

example, children are photographed using an abacus for the first time.

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and outcomes for children

Children's well-being is enhanced by the recognition of their needs and feelings as the childminder encourages them to express themselves through gestures and words. For example, toddlers delight in doing a 'high five' when they have got something correct. This enables them to develop confidence and self-esteem as well as their communication skills. Children benefit from conversations with the childminder, learning how to pronounce new words to support their developing verbal skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an awareness of the dangers of traffic as the childminder talks to them about the risks when they go out, so they learn about safe behaviour from a young age. They have regular and frequent opportunities to exercise outside by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 playing in the garden and visiting parks and play facilities locally. They enjoy growing herbs and vegetables in pots in the garden which they are able to taste. They benefit from good opportunities to develop their social skills and their knowledge of the community as well as the wider world, when they go on outings such as bowling or to the theatre. Children develop their ability to take turns with other children when they play games together which helps to prepare them for their transitions to school or other groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their understanding of healthy routines through everyday activities, such as learning how to wash and dry their hands at key times. They explore programmable toys and games, which develops their skills and understanding. For instance, children like to operate the karaoke and dance to music. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and develop confidence through her skilful and sensitive support. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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